The Alcatel Submarine Networks site in Calais employs more than 600 people. – credit: Radio6
Sébastien Foissel
16:20 – June 27, 2024
The Minister of the Economy Bruno Lemaire announced that France would buy 80% of the shares in the capital of Alcatel Submarine Networks from the Finnish Nokia. France considers this to be a strategic undertaking. Specializing in the manufacturing of submarine cables, the Calais site employs more than 600 people.
The takeover of the French State was welcomed by Mayor Natacha Bouchart who, according to her, “will bring the necessary stability to this sector.”
The unions are not very forthcoming, and have not made any official statements. In any case, the unions are hoping for a better dialogue with the future new management. No official announcement has been made within the company.
According to a press release from the Ministry of the Economy:
Bruno Le Maire, Minister of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, signed a promise of purchase by the State on June 26, 2024 with a view to acquiring 80% of the capital of the holding company of the company Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) from the Nokia group.
ASN, which has a turnover of more than one billion euros, develops activities in the design, manufacture, maintenance and installation of submarine cables. ASN is one of the world leaders in the submarine cable market and a unique company of its kind in Europe. This operation, led by the State Participation Agency (APE), demonstrates the State’s ability to invest in French companies in order to support and develop their strategic activities, as well as the relevance of the APE as a tool for defending the fundamental interests of the Nation.
ASN has unique industrial and technological skills implemented by nearly 2,000 employees (including 1,370 in France), spread across several sites in France and abroad (notably in the United Kingdom and Norway).
ASN operates in the telecommunications infrastructure sector, which is experiencing strong growth with the global development of the Internet and a growing demand for connectivity. Submarine cables operate using fiber optic technology and can transmit over 99% of transcontinental data traffic. Mastering the manufacturing processes and production units of these essential infrastructures contributes to the resilience of France and the European continent.
The agreements discussed with Nokia provide, in the long term, for the State to acquire 100% of the company’s capital. Nokia will remain a minority shareholder in an initial phase to facilitate the transition.
This operation will be subject to the usual regulatory authorizations, in particular to the information-consultation procedures of the staff representative bodies concerned.
